Maggi Barnard

With a variety of events and activities for all ages, the friendly Tullamore Irish Festival provided a full day’s entertainment last Saturday, celebrating the best of two cultures, Australia and Ireland.

The morning began with the street parade, featuring community organisations as well as street performers, officials and locals. Groups of onlookers mingled along Cardigan Street dressed in a diverse range of fashions with a common green theme. After the parade passed by, people stopped along the street to grab a coffee, or to watch street performers, before heading down to the showground.

Although it quite quickly became unseasonably warm for this time of year, many people still embraced the spirit of the festival, dressing up to the nines, wandering around to check out the stalls, visiting the art exhibition, watching a shearing demonstration, or sitting down in the shade to watch the entertainment. Children flocked to the rides, or to the ice-cream vendors.

The Festival was officially opened with an Acknowledgement and Welcome to Country ceremony performed by local Wiradjuri youth, followed by an address from Michael McCormack, Deputy Prime Minister of Australia. Shortly afterwards, Parkes Councillor Barbara Newton announced the winners of the ‘Wearing of the Green’.

The entertainment continued throughout the afternoon, with musical performances by both Irish and Australian artists, as well as dancing performances by the Halloran Dancers. The day’s program ended with a concert by John Williamson. Attendees of the Festival came from a range of places, including a couple that originally hailed from Tullamore … in Ireland!

“This is our first time at this Tullamore,” said Pat Hanlon. If you like to dress up, eat a variety of food and drinks, while away the day listening to music, and have a laugh or two, why don’t you head along to the Tullamore Irish Festival next year.

Parents and supervisors of local learner drivers are encouraged to attend a free workshop which will be held at Parkes High School on Tuesday 10th April. The free two-hour workshop, Helping Learner Drivers Become Safer Drivers, will offer parents and supervisors hands-on advice on how to provide the most effective driving practice for learner drivers.

Parkes Shire Council’s Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, who is presenting the workshop says it is well worth attending. “Parents and supervisors of learner drivers have a crucial role to play in making our roads safer. That is why Parkes Shire Council have teamed up with Roads and Maritime Services to hold these FREE two-hour workshops to offer practical advice to parents and supervisors on how to help learner drivers become safer drivers.”

“Parents and supervisors who have attended this workshop in the past have found that it boosted their confidence, helped them better plan driving sessions and allowed them to share their experiences with other parents and supervisors,” Ms Suitor said.

The Helping Learner Drivers Become Safer Drivers workshop will be held at Parkes High School on Tuesday 10th April commencing at 6pm. Light refreshments will be available during the workshop. Bookings are essential and can be made by calling Ms Suitor on (02) 6861 2364.

For further information please call Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, on (02) 6861 2364.

The Hon Melinda Pavey, Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight made the announcement last week securing the Corridor connecting the M7 to the Bells Line of Road at Kurrajong.

“This is so very welcomed in Central NSW. At last we see some real action. The securing of the Corridor is the essential first step for the future development of better transport links between Sydney and our communities,” said Cr John Medcalf, Chair of Centroc and Mayor of Lachlan Shire.

“The communities of Central NSW and Western Sydney need certainty and to see direction, which is what the State Government has done,” said Cr Ken Keith Portfolio Mayor for Transport for Centroc and Mayor of Parkes.

WASTE TO ART EXHIBITION
This exhibition will showcase all the imaginative works entered in the 2018 Sims Metal WASTE TO ART and design competition. This year is the Year of Polystyrene but there will be other waste items featuring that will celebrate the reuse, recycling and upcycling of waste through arts and crafts. This exhibition aims to challenge peoples’ perceptions about ‘rubbish’. The exhibition is open for viewing from 4th to 28th April 2018. Opening Night and announcement of winners, Thursday 12th April at 6pm. Please RSVP by 11th April.

SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES
Bits, Bobs and Games!
Come along for stories, crafts and games. For: Kinder to Year 2, Tuesday 17th April and 24th April, 10.30am -12pm.

Fabulous Felt Children’s Workshop Artist: Cecily and Toni presented the Fabulous Felt Exhibition in the Parkes Library last year is conducting felting workshops for children these school holidays. Children will learn how to felt wool and fashion the felt into unique pieces of art. For: Kinder to Year 2, Wednesday 18th April, 10:30am – 12:00pm.
Year 3 to 6, Wednesday 18th April, 1:30pm – 3:00pm.

Knight for a Day!
Discover the world of chivalry, heraldry and knights. Design your own family shield. Optional – Come dressed as a knight. For: Year 3 to 6, Thursday 19th April and 26th April, 10.30am -12pm.

Bookings required for above sessions in person at Parkes Library. Cost $2. Wear old clothes, closed in shoes,
bring your drink bottle & library card. NB All children must be library members to participate in holiday activities.